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Kyiv has urged its Western partners to take immediate decisions on air defence and sanctions after a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on the Ukrainian capital killed at least 20 people, with the death toll expected to rise.
Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure were hit in what is described as one of the most intense assaults on Kyiv in recent months. Emergency services were continuing rescue operations on Thursday.
“War criminal Putin can only wage a vile and terroristic war against civilians, women and children,” Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X.
“Such strikes are grave war crimes and we are informing all partners and international organisations about them, calling for accountability and strong responses.”
Sybiha called on Ukraine’s western partners to speed up the deliveries of air defence systems and interceptor missiles after a “night of horror”, warning against further delays.
“Decisions on air defence systems and missiles for Ukraine are needed right now, not later!” he wrote.
Euronews’ Ukrainian diplomatic sources confirmed that they have already passed on the information on the overnight attacks to NATO allies, who are about to gather in Ankara for the summit next week.
Kyiv says that major strikes – particularly those with ballistic missiles, as Moscow’s attack overnight on Thursday – is deepening allies’ understanding of both the stakes involved and the vulnerabilities in Ukraine’s air defences.
Ukrainian officials have increasingly highlighted the stark contrast between nights when adequate anti-ballistic systems were in place and those when only a limited share of incoming missiles could be intercepted, emphasising the disparity in its briefings to partners.
Russian, meanwhile, has signalled no change in course. After the latest barrage against Kyiv, the Kremlin said it would intensify its campaign against Ukraine.
“Russia will continue to increase pressure on the Kyiv regime in order to achieve our set goals,” spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.